Alyssa came over to help me empty the storage loft. Twenty years ago, I had built it in the hallway, just inside my front door. With the high ceilings in this apartment, I was able to create a loft that was five feet deep, by three feet high, and 42 inches across. But now, I need to sort through all the stuff that was packed in up there, to organize what is staying: shoe-boxes of old photo prints,(when I get back, I will digitize all of those), my snow shoes, boots and poles, and luggage. I intended to dispose of one third, or maybe half of the stuff that was up there: like the bags of out of season/out of size clothing, old, antique tent-camping gear, and Christmas decorations I haven't used in many years. Then, I can re-pack it, and make room to store the clothing that is not coming on the trip. but that I will use when I come back.This is the next major phase of emptying out.
You know, I never thought of myself as a hoarder, and I'd have sworn that in this tiny apartment, I really didn't have that much stuff. This emptying out process has shown me that I was holding onto way too many things: for use in the future, because it was good and still had value, because it held a memory for me, or because it was just easier to keep it, than to make a decision about where it actually should go, and move it on out. I am going to be conscious of every item in my life, going forward. I do not ever want to have to do this task again.
Panoramic view of my storage loft contents.
The Beast from the East! omg.omg, omg! Isn't she pretty?
Federal Inspection
One very cold-but-sunny February morning, Margaret and I drove up to Connecticut at dawn, to visit The Beast, and get her inspected. There she was, patiently sitting in the snow, waiting for me. Chuck and I had signed a bill of sale which was contingent on the machine passing inspection. Today was the day!
I got to drive her up and down US 1 a bit, to the inspection station and back. Of course, she passed with no problem. All along, Chuck has been taking good care of issues as they arise, like rear brakes that weren't great, and house batteries that had gone a bit tired. I had no question that the machine would pass inspection. And she did. But, I also was very happy to drive for 5 hours, to go have a visit with my new home.
Margaret in dining room, with slide room in closed position.
In just a couple more weeks she’ll be mine!
How happy am I?